The communal bank Mujeres con Decisión (Women with Decision) is formed by 12 women who work daily in different economic activities, which allow them to cover their household expenses and provide for their families. They are known for their kindness and gentleness, and for seeing every day as a challenge to keep growing. They also maintain the culture and traditions of their people. They live around different areas of the city of Cuenca, which was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1999 thanks to its architectural beauty. The city has several places in which to enjoy nature and practice several sports, and it is bathed by four rivers.

Ruth has been a member of the communal bank Mujeres con Decisión for the past six years, time in which she has been able to strengthen bonds of friendship with all her companions. Ruth lives near the area of Cebollar, in the city of Cuenca. She is 38 years old, married and has three children with her spouse. Her children are 16, 13 and 7 years old; the two older ones study in a high school and the younger one studies at a preschool in the city. Her husband is a mechanic and, as they do not own their own house, they rent their home.

Ruth does household chores and for the past ten years has been making flower arrangements for different occasions, such as weddings and 15-year-old parties. She works every day, without a fixed schedule. This loan will be invested in the purchase of materials to make her arrangements, such as baskets, vases, wires, floral foam and flowers to continue to grow her business. Her goal is to own her own house.

Additional Information

This is a Group Loan

In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a larger group of individuals. The group is there to provide support to the members and to provide a system of peer pressure, but groups may or may not be formally bound by a group guarantee. In cases where there is a group guarantee, members of the group are responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members in the case of delinquency or default.

Kiva's Field Partners typically feature one borrower from a group. The loan description, sector, and other attributes for a group loan profile are determined by the featured borrower's loan. The other members of the group are not required to use their loans for the same purpose.